CCP continues hearing on PTCL-Telenor merger, evaluates market implications

KARACHI: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is progressing with its Phase II merger review of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited’s (PTCL) proposed acquisition of 100 per cent shareholding in Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited (TP) and Orion Towers Private Limited (OT).

The hearing was chaired by CCP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, alongside members Salman Amin and Abdul Rashid Sheikh.During the proceedings, Mian Sami-ud-Din, a partner at BNR counsel representing Wateen Telecom Limited, urged the commission to thoroughly assess the competition dynamics within sub-markets such as indefeasible right of use (IRU), tower co-location, and fiberization of towers. He emphasized the importance of considering all aspects of competition that could be impacted by the merger.

In contrast, Jazz Telecom’s counsel, Khalid Ibrahim, argued that PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor could enable it to gain a dominant position in the market. He called for the commission to impose both pre- and post-merger conditions.